First, let me tell you that I first started this blog to post about doing my daughter's hair. However, she so rarely lets me do fun things with it that there just isn't enough to blog about. So, while I may post a photo and info on her hair from time to time, this is now primarily a blog on Bentos.
What is a bento? Well, a bento is a meal, usually served in a container, divided or not, that is arranged, shaped, and/or decorated to be pleasing to the eye, as well as a well-rounded meal for the body.
My daughter has an intolerance to milk. No, it's not an allergy, no, she's not just lactose intolerant. Milk, with or without lactose, causes her to be horribly constipated to the point that, no matter how much miralax we are pouring into her, she will cease eliminating her waste. This is why I began packing her lunches. When I did start doing this I knew immediately that I wanted to use containers, even though I'd used baggies for picnics in the past. I wanted to change that, too, so I bought extras. I then wondered how I was going to fit everything in a normal lunchbox. It was through that I discovered bentos. Now the idea of making her food cute immediately appealed to me as I didn't want her to feel different in a bad way from all the other kids sitting there with their school lunches or even their lunches from home that were full of milk products that she couldn't have, or because maybe hers was healthier than theirs (and from what I've heard from her and the teachers, it sometimes is).
I've found that making lunch bento-style helps me really think about her lunch, also makes sure I don't just overpack for her, as she just does not eat remotely as much as her brothers, though she eats plenty for her size and age. I hope anyone who views this blog can take something from it, but I just love seeing it all layed out and know that she'll one day enjoy seeing how much thought I put into the food she eats at school.
